Kentucky Man Accused of Fatally Shooting Mother of His Children During Custody Exchange

A man in Kentucky has been arrested after he allegedly shot and killed the mother of his children during a custody exchange, according to authorities.

Around 3 p.m. on Jan. 6, officers in Covington responded to a residence in reference to a shooting, according to the Covington Police Department.

Responding officers found 25-year-old Kierra Lane suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She died at the scene, officials said.

Investigators determined 38-year-old Mario Payne allegedly killed Lane and they obtained a warrant for his arrest. According to the Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the victim and Payne had two children together.

Before Lane’s death, she reportedly exchanged custody of her kids with Payne at another location, according to court records obtained by WXIX-TV.

Payne then allegedly followed Lane home to grab clothes for their kids so they could sleep at his home.

Multiple witnesses claimed Payne and Lane argued on Lane’s front porch, court records state, adding Payne then allegedly went to his car, grabbed a handgun and allegedly shot Lane multiple times as she tried to get back inside her house.

Payne then left his kids at the scene and fled, authorities said.

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A woman who also shares a child with Payne reportedly alleged to police that he called her and “stated something to the effect of ‘I really f***** up!’” However, Payne reportedly did not share any further details with the woman, WXIX-TV reported.

Around 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 8, police located Payne in Louisville and took him into custody. He was charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Payne previously was convicted on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance, WXIX-TV reported.